Yuma Catholic's Cazzia Padilla (15) battles Casteel's Samantha Anger (12) for the ball during the 3A girls soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Casteel's Gracie Benson (17) and Scarlett Frohardt (9) battle Yuma Catholic' Savannah Rush (5) for the ball during the 3A girls soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Brophy Prep's Rory Cunningham (5) crosses the ball off of Brennan Klein (17) during the 6A boys soccer final at Campo Verde High School on February 10, 2018 in Gilbert, Ariz. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Desert Vista's Ty Iannone (3) and Michael Lafer (6) carry the trophy to the fans after beating Brophy Prep 3-0 to win the 6A boys soccer State Championship at Campo Verde High School on February 10, 2018 in Gilbert, Ariz. Patrick Breen/The Republic

The Brophy Prep mascot leaves after the team lost 3-0 to Desert Vista during the 6A boys soccer final at Campo Verde High School on February 10, 2018 in Gilbert, Ariz. If Brophy Prep won the game, they would've become National Champions. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Desert Vista's Ty Iannone (3) and Michael Lafer (6) carry the trophy to the fans after beating Brophy Prep 3-0 to win the 6A boys soccer State Championship at Campo Verde High School on February 10, 2018 in Gilbert, Ariz. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Desert Vista's Ty Iannone (3) and Michael Lafer (6) carry the trophy to the fans after beating Brophy Prep 3-0 to win the 6A boys soccer State Championship at Campo Verde High School on February 10, 2018 in Gilbert, Ariz. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Cortez Osvaldo Sanchez (15) and Paul Molinares (17) battle Gila Ridge's Evis Fierro (12) for the ball during the 4A boys soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Salpointe Catholic Paloma Teran (4) battles Flagstaff Zalma Batrez-Cardoza (16) for the ball during the 4A girls soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Salpointe Catholic Sienna Gonzalez (9) battles Flagstaff Lydia Pelletier-Butler (4) for the ball during the 4A girls soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Salpointe Catholic Madison Hargis (1) defends the goal from Flagstaff Brianna White (7) and Calista Chaffin (23) during the 4A girls soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Salpointe Catholic Madison Hargis (1) defends the goal from Flagstaff Brianna White (7) and Calista Chaffin (23) during the 4A girls soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Flagstaff Calista Chaffin (23)and Salpointe Catholic Emily Valenzuela (10) battle for the ball during the 4A girls soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Flagstaff head coach Holly Jones yells at her team during the 4A girls soccer final against the Salpointe Catholic at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Salpointe Catholic head coach Kelly Pierce cheers for her team after they defeated Flagstaff in the 4A girls soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Xavier head coach Barbara Chura gives instructions during the game against Perry during the 6A Girls Soccer State Championship on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Xavier won, 1-0. Sean Logan, Sean Logan/The Republic

Perry head coach John Roberts watches the game against Xavier during the 6A Girls Soccer State Championship on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Xavier won, 1-0. Sean Logan, Sean Logan/The Republic

Perry players watch the game against Xavier from the bench during the 6A Girls Soccer State Championship on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Xavier won, 1-0. Sean Logan, Sean Logan/The Republic

Perry's Mikella Reed reacts to a call during the game against Xavier during the 6A Girls Soccer State Championship on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Xavier won, 1-0. Sean Logan, Sean Logan/The Republic

Perry players watch the game against Xavier from the bench during the 6A Girls Soccer State Championship on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Xavier won, 1-0. Sean Logan, Sean Logan/The Republic

Hamilton's Kaitlyn Giordano (2) and Perry's Emma Richey(C) (23) chase after a ball in the first half of their game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Perry's Rachel Barrett (0) misses a goal kicked by Hamilton's Maddy Reuter (15) in the first half of their game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Perry's Emma Richey (C) (23) and Hamilton's Olivia Knab (8) battle for a ball in the first half of their game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Hamilton's Nyah Bonchonsky (11) and Perry's Joey Lujan (8) jump for an air ball in the first half of their game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Hamilton's Maddy Reuter (15) celebrates with her teammates after she kicked a sideline goal in the first half of their game against Perry on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/The Republic

Perry's Joey Lujan (8) and Hamilton's Chloe Rapier (4) battle for a ball in the first half of their game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Perry's Remmi Deutsch (C) (11) and Hamilton's Chloe Rapier (4) jump for a ball in the first half of their game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Perry's Amanda Dahl (C) (10) gets heavy pressure from Hamilton's Chloe Rapier (4) and Alegra Aguayo (25) in the first half of their game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Perry's Amanda Dahl (C) (10) gets heavy pressure from Hamilton's Chloe Rapier (4) and Alegra Aguayo (25) in the first half of their game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Perry's Shaylynn Uyeshiro (20) and Hamilton's Kalia Brown (20) chase after a ball in the first half of their game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Phoenix Country Day's Decker Freret (#10) and Ryan Goodman (#9) jump up for a corner kick in the first half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Phoenix Country Day's Ryan Horlick (#12) and Blue Ridge's Jaret Navarro (#6) battle for field position in the first half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Phoenix Country Day's Zach Sarver (#15) tries to set up a shot against Blue Ridge's Jaret Navarro (#6) and Nick Miles (#3) in the first half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Blue Ridge's Ryan Halls (C) (#1) blocks a shot on goal in the second half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Blue Ridge's Jace Fish (#4) and Phoenix Country Day's Ryan Goodman (#9) jump up for a ball near the goal in the second half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Referee gives a red card to Phoenix Country Day's Ryan Goodman (#9) for a "violent action or words" violation in the second half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Phoenix Country Day's Tyler Rodin (#g) reacts to Blue Ridge's Tommy Pederson (#17) jumping for a ball in the second half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Phoenix Country Day celebrate their victory over Blue Ridge for the AIA Div 2A soccer championship on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Phoenix Country Day's head coach Andy Rodin celebrates with his players after AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Chino Valley's head coach Allen Foster on the sideline of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game against Northland Prep on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Chino Valley's Ashley McGuffey (#2) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game against Northland Prep on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Chino Valley's Crystal Sanchez (#20) blocks a shot on goal in the second half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Northland Prep's Eleni Papas (#26) and Chino Valley's Yeni Gomez (C) (#4) go up for a header ball in the second half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Northland Prep's Ellie Karren (#18) celebrates her goal in the second half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

The sun sets on the fans that came to the AIA Div 2A soccer championship game between Blue Ridge and Phoenix Country Day on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Blue Ridge players take a moment of silence before their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game against Phoenix Country Day on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Phoenix Country Day's Zach Sarver (#15) tries to set up a shot against Blue Ridge's Jaret Navarro (#6) and Nick Miles (#3) in the first half of their AIA Div 2A soccer championship game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Northland Prep celebrates as their team wins the AIA Div 2A soccer championship game against Chino Valley on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

Northland Prep celebrates as their team wins the AIA Div 2A soccer championship game against Chino Valley on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. Carlos Salcedo/azcentral sports

It was evident from the start Gila Ridge (17-2-1) hit the gas pedal and had no intentions of stepping off. The scoring got started early in the 11th minute with Jesus Robles taking the initial shot that was stopped by Cortez goaltender Eduardo Sosa. Right on the doorstep of the post was senior forward Evis Fierro to draw first blood for the Hawks. Fierro was second on the team in goals during the regular season (12).

Near the end of the first half, Gila Ridge had complete control of the match.

To add more salt to the wound for Cortez (14-1-1), senior midfielder Arturo Ledezma put Gila Ridge up by two heading into the half.

The second half was split down the middle at the start with both teams trading close shots on both ends. And with 16:15 left in the second half, the Hawks blew the game wide open. Senior midfielder Ian Meza blew past defenders and slid his shot past Sosa for a 3-0 lead.

Cortez Osvaldo Sanchez (15) and Paul Molinares (17) battle Gila Ridge's Evis Fierro (12) for the ball during the 4A boys soccer final at Williams Field High School in Gilbert on February 10, 2018. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/The Republic)

Having carried a smaller roster load than Cortez, the Hawks were still too much for the younger Cortez squad. Fifteen of the 20 boys on the Gila Ridge roster are seniors, making the win much sweeter for Yuma team.

“My first year here, they (the seniors) were all sophomores,” said Gila Ridge head coach Corey Semler. “We threw them all up on the varsity level and this was three years in the making. Last year we made it to the semi-final and came up a little short. This year, I promised them if we put in the work, we will be state champions.”

For Cortez, they were able to get three straight one-goal wins to get to Saturday’s championship game. The Colts was able to mustard up a few shots on goal against Gila Ridge goaltender Charlie Vazquez, but none of them slid past him and they fell one game short of a state championship.

“This is an incredible moment,” said senior captain Ian Meza. “Since I came here my freshman year, I never thought this moment would be possible. For us to know that we’ve worked hard every year, day in and day out, and for it to come true, it’s unbelievable.”